Tastes of Thanksgiving

I can barely keep track of how many people are in my immediate family—somewhere in the thirties and growing, when you count siblings, spouses, their children, and their children’s spouses and kids. Yes, we got the “go forth and multiply” memo.

I’ve been hosting Thanksgiving for several years now for those of my family who can make it to the Berkshires. While the classic turkey and trimmings are expected, the hit of the day is always the vegetables and interesting side dishes that add flavor and zest to the meal. When serving a variety of people of various ages, tastes, and dietary needs, attention to side dishes will invite the vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free people you love to feel included in the celebration.

For many, overindulging in sweetness and fat at Thanksgiving can set the stage for a six-week bacchanal of holiday treats. To steer toward balance and away from fat and sugar overload, try heeding the Ayurvedic wisdom of serving the six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter (think greens), pungent (think hot peppers), and astringent (think popcorn or eggplant).

This year, I invite you to mindfully savor friends, family, and the full range of tastes you encounter on your plate and in your life! To help you bring that range to your holiday table, here’s a collection of recipes from Kripalu, as well as a recipe for a spice tea to help you stay balanced through the holiday season. May you have a healthy, happy holiday, and a miraculous new year!

About Annie B. Kay, MS, RD, RYT

Annie is Lead Nutritionist at Kripalu. Author of the award-winning Every Bite Is Divine, she is also an integrative dietitian and a Kripalu Yoga teacher. Annie is the former director of the Osteoporosis Awareness Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For nearly 20 years, she has been an advocate for science-based mind-body health in the national media, at conferences and workshops, and through her writing. She knits, cooks, gardens, and writes. www.everybiteisdivine.com